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Saturday, February 28, 2009

Birthday Joy! (the aliens have returned me to Earth)

She's alive! She's alive! No, I have not been abducted by aliens or joined a weird goat-worshipping cult. Although I do adore goats! Hmm, perhaps I should start a weird goat-worshipping cult. Anybody want to join? Anyway, I've been feeling quite uninspired lately and I just haven't had the energy to do much at all. I really wanted to have a birthday post, so I've been working on this post for a few days typing a little bit here and there.

Mr. Wing-It bought me too many presents, so I will only show you my favorite one or else this post will be too Tolstoyan in length. I wanted a watch with a timer and an alarm, and Mr. Wing-it bought me the most-awesome-watch-ever! It's pink, it's black, and it rocks! How have I survived this long without a timer to keep me from burning food, over-rising yeast doughs, missing the Ellen DeGeneres show...

Timex Marathon. Isn't it the coolest watch ever?

My next present was a gift from me. I bought myself the Lost in Austen DVDs. Ever heard of it? It's a four-episode TV show about a modern-day woman that swaps places with Elizabeth Bennett.

Lost in Austen DVDs and all of my Jane Austen books. Studious Bear photobomb.

If you are a Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice fan you will LOVE this show! Unless you're an Austen purist, then who knows. You might hate it. The show is about a woman living in today's London, who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and very disillusioned with real life and its lack of romance. Amanda Price finds Elizabeth Bennett in her bathroom, who shows her a door that will lead her into the Bennett's house, and into the story of Pride and Prejudice where she will be stuck. Amanda arrives just at the beginning of the story and she tries to make sure that everything that is supposed to happen, happens according to the book. Of course her mere presence changes everything and nothing seems to be like it should. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is stuck in modern London (we don't see much of her), so what is Amanda to do to get her and Darcy to fall in love?

The characters are exquisite! Amanda is very Bridget Jones-ish and charming as could be. The actress (Jemima Rooper) was well cast and she is extremely lovable. If Darcy appeared rude and rigid in the book, then prepare yourself for something very dreadful. This Mr. Cranky Pants is even more insufferable! Yes, there is "the water scene."

Jane is lovely, and her story is greatly affected by Amanda's presence. Lydia is not the annoying little brat that she is in the book. She is actually very sweet. Kitty and Mary are not a big part of the story, but the girls are adorable.

Bingley is quite the bimbo, and the interactions between him and Amanda are hilarious. During one of their conversations there is a subtle reference to Jane Austen's "Emma", which you will definitely notice it if you have read that book. Miss Bingley is delightfully arrogant, and let's just say that she will reveal something quite surprising about herself.

If you thought Mr. Collins was odious, then you will find him even more repulsive here. This version of the character is downright disgusting! If you watch this, you can finish this sentence: at least Charlotte Lucas...

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is not so evil. She won't win the Miss Congeniality award any time soon, but she is definitely less rigid and more interesting.

Mr. Wickham steals the show! He is far less evil and much more mischievous than his book-self. Georgiana Darcy's story will surprise you.

There are people who didn't enjoy this show but I certainly wasn't one of them. Apparently they are now making a Lost in Austen movie directed by Sam Mendez. If I had the energy, I would do a celebratory cartwheel right now. Well, I don't know how to do cartwheels but I would at least try!

The next present is also something I bought myself: it's Veganomicon! No, I did not have it. The first recipe I made? Chocolate cookies, of course!

Chocolate-chocolate chip walnut cookies with cashews.

Baked potato and greens soup with potato-wedge croutons. All soups should have a potato-wedge crouton stuck in them. Or two, like mine here.

Not from Veganomicon but one of our meals from last week that I really want to mention - Jessy's butter bean burgers. We had them breaded and topped with goodies and they were fantastic. Jessy is the Butter Bean Queen!

So, there you have it. This was a really good birthday and I'm even OK with not being in my 20s anymore. I can live with the couple of gray hairs (this means four) that have grown right in the middle of the top of my head.

67 comments:

Happy! Happy! Day!! So much wonderfulness here that I don't know where to start. Well, Ok. I'll have one of those V'con choco-choco-cashew cookies. :-) The DVDs sounds deeeeelightful. Enjoy ever second over and over again! Hugs and smooches to you this special day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Fatigue isn't a good birthday present so I hope that it goes away very soon! Birthday presents are happy things... Haha, I love how you need a timer for your snacks! I never forget to snack, ehehe. Love the V-con cookies. Love the VeggieGirl treat platter. Awwwesome. Have a great one, you little old lady! :)

Happy happy happy happy birthday!!!!! I'm sorry that you have been so fatigued and I hope you start feeling better soon. The watch is such a sweet gift, and those cookies look like a chocolate-lover's dream! Enjoy your dvd and box of goodies and get better!

Happy birthday River and all the best for a wonderful year! The chocolate walnut cookies were my first recipe out of Veganomicon too!! I'm looking forward to checking out this movie (movie, show?)..what girl wouldn't want to trade places with Elizabeth Bennett? Tee hee!! Luckily, you quelled my fear that the shirtless Mr. Darcy scene would be missing..he he! My squirrels say they would have baked you a nutcake if they had known but instead they just say "happy birthday and may this be your best year yet!!"

Happy Birthday! I have the same watch- but mine is purple and black and that timer is handy :-) Also I now want those cookies from vcon.. I made them for my husband and he thought they were the best cookies ever!

Happy, happy birthday! What an amazing spread (yay VeggieGirl!) and those cards are just gorgeous. And of course your own chocolate creation looks to die for! The 30s are a fabulous decade (they were my favorite, for sure!) so go out and have fun--you deserve all good things! :)

Oh My Sweet River-of-Birthdayness! I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were feeling icky. I hope you get it all worked out soon! You got the best birthday loot ever! You're a lucky girl, but you also totally deserve it!30 was a great year for me, I was married, and a few months later, pg with Guppy. Good year.I am in total DVD and watch ENVY! Seriously. I so want those DVDS!

happy birthday, river! i'm sorry you're feeling so tired lately... hopefully cutting out the soy will help. and i'm glad you had so many awesome nice things and people to cheer you up for your bday fun!

Thanks for the info about the Lost in Austen DVD! I loves me some Jane! I bought a fabulous book this summer called Lost in Austen (create your own Jane Austen adventure). It's like those mystery books where you get to choose where to go next. So characters from one story end up in another! It's really fabulous to read over and over and it's always different! (Author is Emma Campbell Webster). I hope you're feeling better soon and I'm glad you had such a fun birthday (even while sicky).

happy brithday, River! sorry i missed the actual day. i hope you had the most glorious day!

cutting out soy may help with fatigue - i hope it's not thyroid stuff. i will send you happy thoughts and keep my fingers crossed for you too, River!

that's one fantastical watch - i super love it! mr wing-it = the best! oh my gosh - hooray for veganomicon! it's so great! the kale-potato enchiladas are one of my favorites - and those cookies, i need to make them PRONTO!

oh yes, and i would like to add that i will totally join your weird goat-adoring cult! ahahahaha! :)

i love jane austen (english degree holder right here!)- i'm going to HAVE to check out those DVDs! thanks, River!

we are sooooo superhappyfaced that you loved the butter bean burgers! your photo is most glorious - makes me wish i had a butter bean burger right now! mmmmmmm! they're our favorite bean burger and we're so glad you guys loved 'em as much as we do! you just made my monday! thanks, River! :D

what awesome gifts! see you soon - feel energized - and i hope all your birthday wishes came true!

Oh Happy Hoppy Birthday River!!I've been meaning to try those Burgers for a while now - must stop procrastinating and get on with it. I've kinda lost a bit of my mojo so I'll be happy when I get it back and get back into the swing of things.Lost in Austen sounds right up my street - I will have to check it out. I've just gotten into Grey's Annatomy at the moment (up to date on Lost and Heroes and was searching for something else online to watch)it has suckered me right in and I LOVE it.Those Potato wedgies looks so scrummy it all does - as always.And I would be the first to join your goat adoring cult - hee hee hee.Feel better soonBIG HUGSxx

Happy birthday! I just celebrated one too so I presume you are a Pisces as well? I love this extra long post although it makes it hard for me to decide what to comment on first.

All your presents look lovely and you are lucky to have so many great and thoughtful readers.

I also cannot believe you didn't have Veganomicon. Well, I don't have it either but check it out incessantly from the library. I will have to add those cookies to my "to make" list as they look outstanding.

happy birthday river! maybe you are tired from all that fabulous cooking you've been doing-- those potato crouton things look AMAZING! and the cookies- YUM! which Austen book is your favorite? i've only ever read sense and sensibility.hope you feel better soon :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIVER!! I'm so jealous of your Allison's Gourmet box. I've been wanting to try her goodies for a long time. The fact that they're from VeggieGirl makes them ultra-special. Enjoy them! Good for you for spoiling yourself, too. I'm so excited that you get to watch your show and enjoy the Veganomicon goodness. Hooray for your new watch and DVD player from Mr. Wing-It! I hope you're feeling better soon.

I am so glad you were born! (i think i was found under a rock.. so my big bro says!!)I am sorry I missed your actual day. I have been yucky sick!!I hope you love veganomicon in a "I liked this recipe and tried it THIS way.. sort of way.." Its a great cookbook but wont hinder your creativity. When is your vegan birthday? Maybe I wont miss that milemarker??Thanks for all the wonderful things youve added to my life these past months.. I hope this next year is filled with great things added to yours!

Happy birthday River! Thanks for sharing all the good b-day feelings - looks like you had a great day. Is there anything better than a surprise delivery like that - all of those cookies and sweets look fabulous.

Happy belated birthday! I hope you feel much much better soon though, being tired is no way to celebrate a birthday! However, your chocolate cookies look delicious, as does the amazing gift basket, I am so jealous!

Happy belated birthday. Seems like you had a great day. Your pictures are amazing, especillay those of the cookies. I almost got into sugar shock mode just by looking at them. Thank you for sharing all your presents with us.

river, i haven't been on much lately, but happy late birthday!!!! it sounds like you had an amazing day. the box of deliciousness looks too good for words!!!!! and i love your watch!!! i had a watch obsession a few years back because i would break mine all the time. i must've went through 6 watches in one year.

Oddly enough...I do have a weird obsession with goats, so I can be part of the cult!! Your cookies look sooo sooo good! I've made that recipe a bunch of times too. I hope you enjoyed all the birthday treats :)

Happy birthday River! Wonderful day to you. I wish you the happiest year ever! And good luck cultivating members for your goat club - sounds great. Count me in. Super great movie - I am ordering it RIGHT NOW!!!! Love love love austen.